Foam mattress or cushion with supporting edges

ABSTRACT

A foam support, such as a mattress or cushion, with additional edge supports. The edge supports may be in the form of a support member that may include firmer foam than the body of the mattress. The support member may include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the support member may have a larger surface area than the bottom portion of the support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foam mattress with firm edges and, more particularly, to a foam mattress that has edges that bend inward when pressure is applied.

Memory foam mattresses use conforming visco-elastic foam, polyurethane base foam, or the like. Different feels and comfort levels are achieved by varying the thickness, weight and formulation of the visco-elastic foams and the base foams. Latex and memory foam mattresses each provide a unique feel. This type of mattress is good at relieving pressure on painful joints.

Generally, the edges of foam mattresses and cushions lack sufficient edge support. The lack of support creates a feeling of sliding or rolling off of the edges. The problem with previous attempts to firm the edges on foam mattresses are that they use firmer foam to either dam up the edge underneath the softer memory foam and have only minimal support along the top edges. This allows for the softer memory foam to collapse outward over the edge.

As can be seen, there is a need for a foam mattress that has sufficient support on the edges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a foam support apparatus comprises: a top foam layer having a first side, a second side, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one support member having a top portion, a bottom portion, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the at least one support member comprises a firmer foam than the top foam layer, wherein the inner surface of the at least one support member is adjacent to at least one of the first side and the second side of the top foam layer, wherein the top portion of the at least one support member has a larger surface area than the bottom portion of the at least one support member.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of line A of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support member of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a foam support, such as a mattress or cushion, with additional edge supports. The edge supports may be in the form of a support member that may include firmer foam than the body of the mattress. The support member may include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion of the support member may have a larger surface area than the bottom portion of the support member.

The present invention may include a foam edge that deflects the load downward and into a foam mattress or cushion producing a firm, comfortable cradling edge. The present invention may include a firm foam support member that may be bonded to the memory foam below to create a hinged effect. The firm support member may be bonded to a softer foam. This creates a hinged effect and deflects the load down and back into the foam mattress or cushion, producing a more comfortable and supportive edge.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention may include a top layer 12. The top layer 12 has a first side 18, a second side 20, an upper surface 22, and a lower surface 24. The top layer may 12 be a layer of memory foam. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include at least one support member 10 located adjacent to at least one of the first side 18 and the second side 20 of the top layer 12. For example, a first support member 10 may be bonded to the first side 18 of the top layer 12 and a second support member 10 may be bonded to the second side 20 of the top layer 12, creating a single foam mattress or cushion.

In certain embodiments, the support member 10 of the present invention may include firmer foam than the top layer 12. The support member 10 may be around the same length as the first 18 and second side 20 of the top layer 12. The support member 10 of the present invention may include a top portion 26, a bottom portion 28, an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32. The top portion 26 of the support member 10 may align with the upper surface 22 of the top layer 12. The inner surface 30 of the support member 10 may be bonded to at least one of the first 18 and second side 20 of the top layer 12. The outer surface 32 of the support member 10 may be the sides of the overall mattress. Therefore, the top portion 26 of the support member 10 and the outer surface 32 of the support member 10 may comprise the top edge of the mattress.

In certain embodiments, the top portion 26 of the support member 10 may have a greater surface area than the bottom portion 28 of the support member 10. For example, the support member may be triangular shape, trapezoidal shape, or any shape in which the top portion 26 has a larger surface area than the bottom portion 26. Therefore, when a user applies pressure to the top portion 28 of the support member 10, the top portion 28 may be compressed inward and towards the bottom portion 28 and thereby support the user. In certain embodiments, to facilitate the inward compression, the angle of the inner surface 30 relative to the top layer 12 may be about 45 degrees. However the present invention is not limited to this angle, and may be any appropriate angle to facilitate the inward edge compression.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a multi-layered foam mattress. For example, the mattress may further include a middle layer 14 and a base layer 16. The middle layer 14 may be a support layer for the top layer 12 and may include firmer foam than the top layer 12. The base layer 16 may support both the middle layer 14 and the top layer 12. The base layer 16 may include foam that is firmer than both the middle layer 14 and the top layer 12. In certain embodiments, the middle layer 14 may be bonded to the base layer 16 and the top layer 12 may be bonded to the middle layer 14, thereby the middle layer 14 may be sandwiched by the top layer 12 and the base layer 18.

The top layer 12 foam and the middle layer 14 foam may create a plush comfortable surface and the bevel edge under the support member 10 may create a hinged action as the levered top edge has a soft transition from the memory foam to a comfortable edge that supports a user's body on top of the mattress. A mattress cover may be used to provide a comfortable, decorative and protective surface and gives the option of being removed for cleaning.

As mentioned above, the support member of the present invention may be used with a mattress or cushion. The cushion may be any cushion that may include memory foam, including but not limited to, a pillow, a seat cushion, an equestrian cushion, a medical use cushion, a kneeler cushion, and any support system for human or innate objects.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foam support apparatus comprising: a top foam layer having a first side, a second side, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one support member having a top portion, a bottom portion, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the at least one support member comprises a firmer foam than the top foam layer, wherein the inner surface of the at least one support member is adjacent to at least one of the first side and the second side of the top foam layer, wherein the top portion of the at least one support member has a larger surface area than the bottom portion of the at least one support member.
 2. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the at least one support member is bonded to at least one of the first side and the second side of the top foam layer.
 3. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the at least one foam support member comprises a first foam support member and a second foam support member.
 4. The foam support of claim 3, wherein the first foam support member is bonded to the first side of the top foam layer and the second foam support member is bonded to the second side of the top foam layer.
 5. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the support member is triangular in shape.
 6. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the support member is trapezoidal in shape.
 7. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the support member has an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the top portion of the support member.
 8. The foam support of claim 1, further comprising a middle foam layer bonded to the lower surface of the top foam layer, wherein the middle foam layer comprises a firmer foam than the top foam layer.
 9. The foam support of claim 8, further comprising a base foam layer bonded the middle foam layer, wherein the middle foam layer is sandwiched between the base foam layer and the top foam layer, and wherein the base foam layer comprises a firmer foam than the middle foam layer.
 10. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the foam support is a foam mattress.
 11. The foam support of claim 1, wherein the foam support is a foam cushion. 